Nigeria Book Africa Cup of Nations Last 16 Spot Despite Late Tunisia Comeback
Ex- Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star was instrumental in his team establish a 3-0 advantage, before they were forced to defend resolutely for a hard-fought victory.
The three-time champions survived a stunning comeback attempt from Tunisia to progress to the last 16 of the Afcon tournament being held in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C clash in the Moroccan city, holding a three-goal lead with only a quarter of an hour remaining courtesy of strikes from Victor Osimhen, Wilfred Ndidi and Ademola Lookman.
Yet, a Tunisian defender pulled one back with a powerful header from a Manchester United midfielder free-kick, igniting hopes of a turnaround.
The tension intensified when Tunisia were awarded a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check identified a handling offense by Bright Osayi-Samuel. Ali Abdi calmly slotted home in the dying stages to create a frantic conclusion.
Tunisia were inches away from a last-gasp leveler in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi heading a chance just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley past the goal frame.
Clinching Top Spot
This result means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on three past instances, move to 6 points and are assured top spot in Group C with one game left to play.
For the round of 16, they will meet a third-placed team from either Group A, B or F.
Meanwhile, Tunisia stay on three group points, with Uganda and Tanzania tied on one point after playing out a 1-1 draw in the day's other fixture.
The concluding group fixtures will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while Tunisia return to the capital to confront Tanzania.
An Anxious Finish
The Tunisian defender smashed the ball from 12 yards to give Tunisia hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, runners-up in the 2023 tournament, become the second nation after the Pharaohs to reach the knockout stage, but coach Eric Chelle and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What looked like set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a nerve-wracking conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a goal ruled out for an infringement before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was doubled early in the second period when the Leicester City midfielder climbed above everyone to thump in a powerful nod from a Lookman kick.
The number 9 then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, before the defender to direct a header past goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali to begin the comeback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of Bright Osayi-Samuel, with the official pointing to the spot after reviewing the VAR monitor.
Despite the defender's successful penalty, the 2004 champions in the end came up just short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their own hands; a point against Tanzania will be enough to secure progression, and their coach will be keen to prevent a repeat of the past group-stage exit that led to his departure.
